Tracey Cramer-Kelly's Blog, page 28

The Definition of Erotica (and is it different than "Sensual Fiction")?

Being it's winter and supposedly a "slower" time, I decided to join an online class on how to do a better job of writing about sex (and maybe I'll figure out if the short story I've written falls under the genre of "erotica"). Though the class has only just begun, it got me thinking about the sensual scenes (that's what I call them anyway) in my published novels.

I try to write scenes with sexual tension rather than actual sex - which I find more difficult than an actual sex scene in some ways … but so much more powerful! I also like to place that tension in unexpected places or situations. Here is an example from my novel Last Chance Rescue:

He sank to his bed when she went to the bathroom, not bothering to turn on the overhead light. He fumbled with the clasps on his leg brace for a few moments, then lay propped on his elbows—uncomfortable, exhausted and frustrated.

"You really don't feel good, do you?" She was at his side.

He shook his head. He reached for the brace again, but she laid her hand on his.

"Let me," she said softly.

Slowly he reclined.

One by one she released the clasps on his leg brace. She moved with slow deliberation, as if she were undressing him. When she'd removed the brace she let it fall to the floor, one hand still resting on his leg. She sat on the bed next to him and reached for the ankle zipper on his workout pants.

He couldn't take his eyes from her as she unzipped his pants from his ankle to above his knee. He found himself wanting her touch…anticipating it…needing it.

I don't plan to change the way I write. But, it will be interesting to stretch myself (I have a couple ideas in mind) and maybe get a little more, er … graphic with my descriptions!

More Biker Fiction: Iron Horse Rider

The opening scene of Iron Horse Rider is a terrible accident/crash in which Shane's wife dies. What follows is a lengthy flashback detailing how he met his wife and fell in love, and briefly covering how she started riding motorcycle. Flashbacks are very hard to do (well) even when they are short. I felt this flashback was too long and took the focus off the main story; I would have preferred the key backstory elements 'worked in' to the main storyline.

The setting that Shane finds himself in after running (er, riding) away from home is somewhat exotic in that most readers will never have heard of the Micmac tribe – and that they spend summers as their ancestors did. There are some mystical qualities to the storyline, which some readers may not care for, as well as healing elements (which I especially liked).

As far as characters go: Shane was an authentic and real biker with an interesting and believable past and personal issues. The heroine (Tia) was less interesting to me; it seemed she didn't have any bad qualities. The antagonist could have been quite interesting (what made him so angry and mean?) but the author did not take the time to flesh him out. The minor characters – biker friends – were well done (like people I'd meet in my own motorcycle club, not gang members).

I especially liked that the focus was on Shane's personal transformation (a male point of view), as I tend to write that way myself. I found the plot and conflict compelling, except for one thing: I couldn't quite seem to get past the fact that Tia was a potential new romance for Shane so soon after losing the love of his life (and hers, although not as recent). To the author's credit, this is a delicate balance and she does not take this idea too far; the characters are friends but with attraction! In that sense, this is not your typical romance novel – but I like that.

I had to keep reading to see how the 'competition' between Shane and the antagonist turned out. There is an excellent 'karma' twist as well. All in all, I enjoyed this biker novel more than others I've read and would like to read more of Ms. Laudan's biker fiction. My rating: 3.5 stars (out of 5).

The Rose is a FEATURED MUSIC VIDEO at Mamapalooza!

 First: what is Mamapalooza? I call it the "Rocker Moms" site, but it's much more than that. It is musician moms, author moms, filmmaker moms - creative moms of all kinds – coming together (often in collaborative ways) to highlight the challenges of motherhood and artistic endeavors. Obviously, this is a movement near to my heart, since I am mother to two young children (4 and 9). I've been affiliated with Mamapalooza for about three years; I guess you could say we've grown together (though I'd wager Joy and her peers have done a better job than I have).

 

The Making of a Music Video

 

I had finished my novel, True Surrender, and had recorded my first song in sixteen years…and when I first thought about doing a music video, I was curious: how would my passion for singing, writing and the power of the visual come together?

 

The short answer: with a lot of help!

 

A co-director/editor. Actors to enact scenes from True Surrender. Camera folks. Props. Makeup. So many details! The photo shoot itself. And then: sleepless nights as I watched scenes for hours – evaluating the best parts of each, looking for those seconds when the camera caught something special.

 

I could not have had a better experience creating my first music video. I was blessed with a great group of people to work with (I really enjoyed the creative interplay). This was truly a collaborative effort and I was both humbled and exhilarated. I love the video – and I hope you do, too. View it here.

Post-Christmas Book Savings

The rush of Christmas is over, and if you're like me, this week is a little more … um, manageable than many. A perfect time for YOU time. A perfect time to curl up with a good book!

 

To help you take full advantage of the winter lull, I'm offering 25% savings on both True Surrender and Last Chance Rescue e-book formats (PDF). Here are the special discount codes you'll need (feel free to forward this offer to your friends!):

True Surrender (Use code RQ55Z)

Last Chance Rescue (Use code FU45S)

If you prefer an author-signed copy, visit My Store

(offer expires January 20, 2012)

Five-Star Book Review of Last Chance Rescue

With so much activity around the launch of True Surrender, it's nice to know that my first book, Last Chance Rescue, is also being enjoyed by readers.

Last Chance Rescue is about two search-and-rescue team members who must fight their own defenses to let down the walls that will allow them to rescue each other. It's a story with a lot of action and a lot of heart. And P. McNeill's comments pretty much confirm what I'd hoped readers would get from the book:

This was the most satisfying romance book that I have read in a long time. I think the main reason for this was, at least in my opinion, that the romance was almost a secondary theme in the book. The main theme of the story was how the characters helped each other grow emotionally. Most of the time neither character would realize the effect they had on one another. The spiritual connection between the two leads was awesome. As a reader, I hated to see the story end. I can't wait to see if the other books by Tracey Cramer-Kelly are as captivating as this book.

See more about Last Chance Rescue – including character interviews and a book excerpts!

Five-Star Book Review of Last Chance Chance Rescue

With so much activity around the launch of True Surrender, it's nice to know that my first book, Last Chance Rescue, is also being enjoyed by readers.

Last Chance Rescue is about two search-and-rescue team members who must fight their own defenses to let down the walls that will allow them to rescue each other. It's a story with a lot of action and a lot of heart. And P. McNeill's comments pretty much confirm what I'd hoped readers would get from the book:

This was the most satisfying romance book that I have read in a long time. I think the main reason for this was, at least in my opinion, that the romance was almost a secondary theme in the book. The main theme of the story was how the characters helped each other grow emotionally. Most of the time neither character would realize the effect they had on one another. The spiritual connection between the two leads was awesome. As a reader, I hated to see the story end. I can't wait to see if the other books by Tracey Cramer-Kelly are as captivating as this book.

See more about Last Chance Rescue – including character interviews and a book excerpts!

The Rose (Surrender Version) Now Available for Download!

In April 2011, my husband and I recorded an upbeat, slightly bluesy version of Bette Midler's classic song, The Rose. (Special thanks to Mark Cameron and Scott Lundbeg.)

The song, "The Rose (Surrender Version)" – so named for the companion music video featuring scenes from my novel True Surrender – is now available for download at a number of Web sites – most notably, CDBaby.com and iTunes!

If you like the song (or the singer, ahem), please Download it at CDBaby.com (or search for it on iTunes and download direct to your iPod).

Listen to a sample of The Rose (Surrender Version) (.mp3 format)

Storm Chaser: More Romance, Less Storm

There was never a time in Storm Chaser when I felt the momentum flag – and that's pretty unusual in my experience. Every event in the book had a purpose in moving the story forward or developing the characters. But if you are looking for lots of storm chasing (like the movie "Twister") you might be disappointed; this story was definitely about Allie and Chance's romance-to-be.

As an ex-Army paramedic and a writer who draws on those experiences, I especially enjoyed the emergency scenes (there's a chemical spill and a fire). They weren't overly technical, the human aspects were the focus, and they served to impact the character development.

Speaking of characters…the author managed to stay away from stereotypical characters for the most part (Chance was a little borderline). The klutzy private investigator was a stitch, as were some of the small-town residents.

The only thing that kept this book from being a five-star read is that it wasn't quite believable that Allie couldn't admit to her secret to Chance … which really wasn't a big secret at all (I don't want to give it away here). Perhaps if there had been more background or current interaction with her father I might have been convinced…or if her father had turned out to be a terrible ogre when we finally 'meet' him for a few pages near the end…

True Surrender Book Tour T-shirt Winner Announced

The True Surrender Book Tour wrapped up on Friday, and tonight my kids helped choose the winner of the "Freedom Isn't Free" T-shirt (proceeds benefitting Our Fallen Soldier). Congratulations to Karen, who visited at Wicked Readings!

There were insightful comments at many of the book tour stops, and I enjoyed the interviews and talking about the writing process. True Surrender also garnered additional reviews:

Bea's Book Nook said: "True Surrender is a heart-breaking, tear jerker of a story. This is not a bad thing by any means. It grabbed me from the beginning and held my attention right to the end. It's about faith, love, courage, duty, and honor."

Cocktails and Books said: "When I finished this book, I felt extreme gratitude to those serving in our Armed Forces."

Words of Wisdom said: "Once [Holly and Aaron] finally decide on having a relationship, their sexual interludes are nicely paced throughout the story and sweetly natured with just a hint of steaminess."

Reviews by Molly said: "This is one greatastic military romance!!!"

You can read more on the True Surrender Book Reviews page. A big THANK YOU to everyone who stopped by and made the Virtual Book Tour a success!

How to Write a Flawed Hero: Aaron Bricewick, Army Officer

Some writers start a novel with a plot outline. I tend to start mine with a character. A flawed character.

Why? Because we all relate to flawed characters. We recognize something in them that is also in us (or perhaps in someone close to us). Perfect heroes are boring!

When I'm in deep imagination about a character, I feel as if I'm getting to know them personally. I even dream about them (often in scenes that SHOW me their character). I ask: "Why is this character like he is? What motivates him?"

I think about what shaped their life to bring them to the person they are. In the case of Aaron Bricewick (hero of True Surrender), his parents' divorce when he was a pre-teen was a pivotal event in his life. It is the start of his fear of commitment and his need to be in control. The lack of interaction he received from his father contributed to his heightened need for respect from others (which drives him to make personal sacrifices for the sake of his military career).

When I start writing, I try to put myself in the character's shoes. Because what that character would do in a particular situation is not necessarily the same as what I would do. Sometimes I have the character all figured out and then she goes and does something totally unexpected! In those moments, I stop resisting or trying to place my personal reactions on the character and listen to what she wants to tell me.

For example, when Holly found out about Aaron's addiction to pain pills, I had intended for her to dole out some 'tough love.' Instead, her own insecurities about single parenting surfaced in an unexpected way. When I let go and allowed the character permission to do what she wanted, the scene took an unexpected, intriguing twist.

The second half of the equation, of course, is the situations I put the characters in. In both my novels I was very intentional about this; I chose them expressly to bring out the characters' flaws (if I didn't, how would they ever show?) In True Surrender, Aaron finds himself in some unusually intense (and emotional) situations – which lends itself to all kinds of character development.

But that's a topic for another post on another day!